PEARSON: Breathe life into city core: shop there

Chris McInnis decided it was both and put in his time, money and energy into making them a reality. In August of last year he opened uber Cool Stuff between Carling and Dundas streets and in doing so, made a personal statement. (QMI Agency file photo)

At an officially held meeting on downtown development, held on April 27, 2011, more than 200 participants provided valued input into implementing a new revitalized vision for the core. One phrase stuck with the gathering: “Downtown is a journey, not a destination.”

Chris McInnis decided it was both and put in his time, money and energy into making them a reality. In August of last year he opened über Cool Stuff between Carling and Dundas streets and in doing so, made a personal statement.

“I couldn’t have opened up anywhere else,” he says. “If I hadn’t found a spot downtown, I wouldn’t be in business. I have always loved downtown and it was a big part of my decision to stay in London.”

At 42 years of age, McInnis is a key part of the cohort the City of London is attempting to recruit for its downtown vision. From information garnered from the London Economic Development Corporation, it is clear that our city is having trouble attracting and retaining a new generation of entrepreneurs upon which to build a future.

Sean Quigley, executive director with Emerging Leaders, points out, “It is critical for London to encourage the kind of entrepreneurship that Chris has shown. Through the programs, like those offered through Downtown London, we create the opportunities to retain talent and develop new businesses. Downtown will be the key to London future success”.

In many ways London is late to the game when it comes to advancing business diversity downtown. For decades the emphasis has been on big employers with large labour forces and attempts to land them in the city — often accompanied by a lack of attention to smaller and medium-sized business opportunities.

McInnis thinks this is changing and is part of the vanguard banking on the core’s future.

In fact he credits official assistance with much of his confidence. “I’ve been overwhelmed by the city’s support,” he says. “The staff at Downtown London helped me find my spot and create a colourful storefront.”

He also credits social media — specifically Twitter — with generating a new generation of customers for his unique line of products. A hybrid of articles characterized by art, design, comics and games has proved an attractive draw for those searching for such niche items.

McInnis still has more selling to do for the simple reason that the core still has its naysayers — a reality and frustration not lost on city officials and groups like the Downtown Business Association. He bristles somewhat at such an outlook: “I honestly think most of the negative perceptions are perpetuated by people who actually spend very little time downtown. I think downtown has been on a steady upturn for years, and I see that continuing.”

Is he correct or is it just wishful thinking? It still depends on whom you ask, but the more owners who put their investments where their ambitions are the more the scales will be weighted for renewal.

McInnis looks beyond just his own success for proof of the core’s renaissance. “We already have a ton of great restaurants downtown, but I think retail is catching up quickly in terms of hitting the critical mass that will keep new people coming downtown. From high end services like the Polish Nail Bar to funky spots like the Sentimentalist Village Clothing, I’m excited about the health and trajectory of downtown.”

It’s a gracious observation, but will require partnership of key stakeholders to make it a reality. But if London’s downtown is to experience renewal, it will come because people like Chris McInnis and those like him are determined to make it happen. He is banking on Peter Drucker’s pertinent observation: “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”

The most obvious method of proving the validity of that claim is to alter our buying habits and breathe new life into downtown’s retail community.

Glen Pearson is co-director of the London Food Bank and a former Liberal MP for the riding of London North Centre. pearsg9@gmail.com

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